Beckham fined by Uefa for show of 'clear dissent'

David Beckham has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£3,900) by Uefa, the European game's governing body, after showing "clear dissent" towards referee Markus Merk during Manchester United's defeat at PSV Eindhoven last month.

David Beckham has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£3,900) by Uefa, the European game's governing body, after showing "clear dissent" towards referee Markus Merk during Manchester United's defeat at PSV Eindhoven last month.

Beckham was booked for dissent by Merk and showed his anger by turning and spitting on the ground in the direction of the German official.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, defended Beckham after the incident. "It's understandable, they get frustrated with the referee," he said at the time. "The referee is supposed to be at the top of his job."

Beckham meanwhile, does not need surgery on his damaged left knee. It was thought the midfielder may need an operation after limping off during England's defeat to Germany last Saturday. There is a chance that the midfielder may be fit for United's Premiership match with leaders Leicester City at Filbert Street tomorrow, assuming he comes through training unscathed today.

Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Leboeuf have been given two-match bans by Uefa for insulting the referee in the Uefa Cup first-round match with St Gallen. Hasselbaink used abusive language and Leboeuf continued the verbal assault when the official reached his dressing-room.

St Gallen were fined £3,000 by Uefa after their fans set off fireworks and threw objects on to the pitch.

Galatasaray have been fined £20,000 for their supporters' behaviour before and during the Champions' League match with Rangers. The Turkish club allowed spectators to occupy stairways and emergency exits during the match and distributed rolls of paper to fans while the teams were warming up. When the players re-entered the playing area prior to the match, hundreds of rolls were thrown on to the pitch, causing the kick-off to be delayed.

Uefa has also fined Shakhtar Donetsk £3,000 for "improper conduct of the team" following the 3-2 Champions' League defeat to Arsenal on 20 September.